Car door lifting mechanism



OC- 20, 1942- w. A. BEAUCHAMP CAR DOOR LIFTING MECHANISM Original Filed Dec. 17, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mim f/v Ve/v To@ Mura/5D f4? Begg/CHEM@ @TTY Oct 20, 1942' w. A. BEAUCHAMP vCAR DOOR LIFTING MECHANISM original Filed Dec. 17, 19:57

4 Sheets-Sheet V2 IN1/EN To@ MAF/350 f4) BEQC/'CH/Q/vp @TTY Oct. 20, 1942. w.-A. BEAUCHAMP CAR DOOR LIFTING MECHANISM Original Filed Dec. 17, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 .ZN VEA/TO@ WMF/@5D f4? BEQUCHQMQ Oct. 20, 1942. W A BEAUCHAMP 2,299,297

CAR DOOR LIFTING MECHANISM Original F'iled Dec. 17, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 39 2729 Qi f/w/ENTO/E IAA/ FEED ,Q7 BEHL/CHQMQ BY M Patented Oct. 20, 1942 CAR DOO-R LIFTING MECHANISM Wilfred A. Beauchamp, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Youngstown Steel Door Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application December 17, 1937, Serial No. 180,382. Divided and this application February 12, 1940, Serial No. 318,447

12 Claims.

This invention relates to sliding lift doors and particularly to the lifting mechanism therefor. It is an object of this invention to provide a lifting mechanism for sliding doors which shall be standard for all types of house car constructions.

A further object is to provide a lifting mechanism for sliding doors wherein the parts for the main and auxiliary doors of double door house cars are identical in construction.

A further object is to provide a lifting mechanism embodying connecting means for insuring simultaneous operation of the mechanism wherein such means shall be subject to tension rather than compression.

A further object is to prowde a lifting mechanism designed to secure economy of replacement of parts.

Other objects of the invention will become clear as the description thereof proceeds.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a partial elevation of a lift door embodying one form of the invention, the door being shown in lowered position.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, the door being shown in elevated position.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. l, showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, showing the door in elevated position. f

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the door shown in Fig. 1, a portion being broken (Cl. lli- 99) Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken on line I5-I 5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 16 is a Vertical section taken on line I6-I6 of Fig. 3.

away to illustrate more clearly parts of the lift mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 0f Fig. 1v.

Fig. 'I is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modied form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a Vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation having a portion broken away to clearly show the part of the lift mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1

' substantially in said main plane.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2,5, 6, 9, 11, 13, and 15 wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated, the reference numeral I0 designates generally a metallic door which may be provided with spaced horizontal corrugations II and marginal vertical corrugations I2 and I3 into which said horizontal corrugations merge'. These horizontal and vertical corrugations are formed in the metallic panel I4 of the door, the vertical margins of which may be reinforced in any desired manner as by Vertical stiffening members I5 and I6.

At its lower margin the metallic panel I4 is offset outwardly as indicated at I'I to provide a downwardly extending marginal portion or flange I8 disposed outwardly of the main plane I9 of the door. Secured to the main plane of the door as by means of rivets 20 above the outwardly oiset portion Il is a backing plate 2I which lies The backing plate 2I is thereby disposel in spaced relationship with the flange I8 of the metallic panel.

A longitudinal member 22 substantially J- shaped in section extends substantially from end to end of the door. The member 22 presents a web 23 arranged horizontally from which the vertical legs 24 and 25 extend upwardly. The longer leg 24 lies against the backing plate 2I and is secured thereto in any desired manner as by rivets. Similarly the shorter leg 25 abuts the '3M offset liange I8 of the metallic panel and is secured thereto preferably by means of spot welding as indicated at 26.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the J-shaped longitudinal member 22 cooperates with '40,' the offset ange I8 of the metallic panel I4 and the backing plate 2| to provide a sturdy box section for the lower margin of the door.

Doors of the type considered are adapted in their lowered position to be frictionally supported upon a track. In the instant invention a track 2'I is utilized, this track being supported from the side sill 28 of the car underframe by means of connecting brackets 29. Frictional engagement between the door and the track 21 in the lowered position of the door is secured through the longitudinal J-shaped member 22, the web 2.3 of which rests upon the track for this purpose.

To obtain movement of the door between open and closed positions with ease, mechanism embodying anti-friction means such as rollers is utilized. This mechanism functions initially to obtain a lifting movement of the door in order to release it from its frictional support upon the track and dispose the weight of the door upon the anti-friction means. In the instant invention such mechanism is disposed within and hence protected by the sturdy box section hereinabove described. To provide for the reception of such mechanism the box section is prepared so as not only to eliminate the heavy and expensive castings heretofore utilized in doors of; the character considered but additionally to provide bracing means minimizing the danger of damage to the box section from external blows. f

To this end adjacent the lower cornersY of the' door members 36--30 which are identical in construction are utilized. Each of. these members is fabricated from a plate which may be a stamping, pressed or otherwise formed to provide a channel shaped portion 3| comprising a web A32 abutting the offset flange I8 vof the panel I4, flanges 33 and 34 extending inwardly therefrom and oppositely directed flanges 35 and 36 abutv ting and secured as by rivets 31 to the legV 24 of track.

'Intermediate the .members 30 and within the boXsection hereinabove described a substantially tubular structure 40 is provided. As more clearly illustrated in Figure 11 of the drawings, the structure 4IJ comprises metallic plate 4I and a substantially channel shaped member 42 having a web 43 andinwardly directed flanges 44 and 45 from which extend oppositely directed flanges 46 and 41. Y'The plate member 4IY and substantially channel shaped member 42 are secured together as by rivets 48 andto the leg 24 of the member 22 anda backing plate 2| as by rivets V49. The web 43 bears against an inwardly olset portion 50 of the flange I8.

Each of the members 3|]l receives a roller 5| within' the channel shaped portion thereof. Each of these rollersis in the form of an eccentric and embodies a core 52 and a rim 53 between which a roller bearing' 54 is disposed. A pin 55 supported at its endsby the leg 24 of the member 22 and by the web 32 of .the member 30 extends eccentrically through the core. Fastened to the core .of each roller as by means .of a rivet 56 effectedv by passing the lug 58 and flange 594 through an opening in said end of the tension member. The flange 59Y guards against accidental disengagement of the strap member 60.

The strap members 60 are connected for simultaneous operation in such manner as to act in tension.V For this purpose, a crank 6I is journalled in the plate member4l and in the web 43 of the channel shaped member 40 as clearly illustrated in Figure 11 of the drawings. member 66 extending Afrom the left hand roller is pivotally connected to the lower .end of the crank as `indicated at 62 while the strap member 66' extending from the right hand roller is piv- *Non The strap .1.

is a connecting crank or flange member 51 formed "f members 50- otally connected to the upper portion of the crank as indicated at 63.

Operation of the crank or strap actuating member 6I is obtained by means of a lever 64 which is wedgingly engaged with the crank 6| so as to avoid slack or clearance between these parts and to eliminate machining operations. As illustrated, the crank 6| is provided with a hub 65 preferably square in section, the sides of which taper inwardly. The lever 64 is formed with a boss 66 of the same section as the hub and having inwardly tapered sides. The desired relationship between the lever and the crank 6| is obtained by means of a rivet 61 passing through the boss and the hub of the crank thereby drawing the lever and the crank into tight wedging engagement. To permit driving of the rivet 61 the backing plate, leg 24 and plate member 4| are apertured as indicated at 68.

It will be observed from Figures 1 and 11 of the drawings that the lever 64 while lying upon the outside of the offset flange |8 is nevertheless within the outermostplane of said flange and door by reason Vof its disposition within the recessed portion of the flange I8. By this construction no part of the lifting lmechanism including the lever projects outwardly beyond the door and protection is consequently afforded this mechanism.

In the movement of the door from its closed and lowered frictional position upon the track 21 the operating lever 64 is pulled downwardly counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 1 of the drawings. This movement of the lever is guided by means of a quadrant 69 fastened upon the panel of the door and received between the outer portion of the lever and a lip 10 disposed inwardly of the lever. The downward movement of the lever 64 produces rotation of the crank 6I which in turn exerts simultaneous pull upon the connecting straps 60. These straps cause 'the cores 52 of the rollers 5I to rotate within the rims 53 and due to the eccentricity of the cores to impart lifting movement to the door. At this time the door has been raised above the trackand its weight disposed upon the rollers and ther door may easily be opened. During4 the opening movement of the door the cores 52 willvrremain stationary and the rims 53 willrotateabove said cores. Upon release of the 'lever 64 thedoor will automatically seat itself upon the'track thereby relieving the rollers of the weight of the door.

I-n the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the remaining figures of the drawings connecting cables are utilized in place of the strap plate In this embodiment of lthe invention the cores 52 of the rollers'5l are each provided with a drum 1I to which one end of a cable 12 is secured. The other ends of the cables 12 are fastened to a drum 13 journalled inthe substantially channel shaped structure 40 Vas structed, related and fastened to'the drum '13.as

in the hereinabove described embodiment.l Inasmuch as the ends of the cable 12 bear the same relationship to the winding drum 13vas 'the' ends of the strap member bear to the crank 6|; it will be apparent that upon counterclockwise movement of the operating lever`64 'tension Awill be applied to the cables and elevating Vmovement will be imparted to the door. The weight ofthe door will then be disposed upon the rollers" for easy movement. Upon release of the lever 64 the door will gravitate into frictional engagement with the track and relieve the rollers of the weight of the door.

It will be noticed that the preparation of the box section at the lower margin of the door for the reception of the cable type of lift mechanism is substantially identical with that for the reception of the strap plate type of lift mechanism. The utility and advantages of the latter preparation are found as well in the former. Moreover, not only does the invention secure identity of parts upon a single door but this advantageous result is obtained as well upon the auxiliary door utilized with double door constructions.

It will be apparent, moreover, that the instant invention lends itself to accurate sub-assembly inasmuch as the backing plate 2|, J-shaped member 22 and the lifting mechanism and its associated parts with the exception of the operating lever may be assembled as a unit and subsequently applied to the door. By this means accuracy is insured.

This application is a division of an application for Car doors, Serial No. 180,382, led December 17, 1937, andl issued December 24, 1940, as Patent No. 2,225,679.

It will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications in the details of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is intended, therefore, that all such modifications and changesbe comprehended within this invention, which is to be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. Lifting mechanism for sliding doors having metallic panels comprising a metallic member adapted to be fastened to the panel of said door, said member having an inner vertical leg, spaced channel shaped members secured to said leg, a roller in each end channel shaped member including a core and a rim, a cylindrical pin extending eccentrically through each core and supported by said inner vertical leg and channel shaped member, an actuating member rotatably mounted in an intermediate channel shaped member, an operating lever secured to said actuating member and means secured to the cores of said rollers and said actuating member, said means being secured to said actuating member at opposed points.

2. Lifting mechanism for sliding doors having metallic panels comprising a metallic member adapted to be fastened to the panel of said door, said member having an inner vertical leg, spaced channel shaped members secured to said leg, a roller in each end channel. shaped member including a core and a rim, a pin extending eccentrically through each core and supported by said inner vertical leg and channel shaped member, an actuating member rotatably mounted in an intermediate channel shaped member, said intermediate channel shaped member lying inwardly of said end channel shaped members, an operating lever secured to said actuating member and means secured to the cores of said rollers and said actuating member, said means being secured to said actuating member at opposed points, the outer portions of said end channel shaped members lying in the outermost plane of said lift mechanism, the outer portion of said lever being so disposed that it does not project substantially outwardly of the end channel shaped members.

3. Lifting mechanism for sliding doors having metallic panels comprising a metallic member adapted to be secured to the panel of said door, said member having an inner vertical leg, spaced channel shaped members secured to said leg, a roller assemblyv eccentrically mounted in each of said channel shaped members and supported by said vertical leg and said channel shaped member, an actuating member rotatably mounted upon said leg, an operating lever secured to said actuating member and tension members secured to opposed points of said actuating member and to said roller assemblies.

4. In a lift door comprising a metallic panel offset outwardly of the main plane thereof and a metallic plate substantially in the main plane of said panel, an inwardly directed recess providedin said panel oifset, a plurality of rollers between said panel offset and said plate, a tension member connected to each roller, a rotatably mounted actuating member between said panel and said plate, said tension members being connected to said actuating member on opposite sides of the axis of rotation thereof and a lever fastened to said actuating member, said lever being disposed upon the outside of said panel offset and within said recess for the purpose set forth.

5. A lift mechanism for a car door having a panel with a lower portion offset outwardly of the main plane of said panel and a metallic plate substantially in the main plane of said panel, said mechanism comprising a longitudinal metallic member adapted to be secured to said plate and said offset portion to form a box section, channel shaped members secured in said box section and extending between said longitudinal member and said offset portion, eccentric door supporting rollers disposed within said channel members and pins for said rollers supported by said longitudinal and channel shaped members, each of said rollers including a core through which said pins extend eccentrically and a concentric rim, a flange fastened to each core, a strap member pivotally connected to each ange, a rotatable actuating member carried in said box section, said strap members being pivotally connected at opposed points to said actuating member and a lever on the outside of said offset portion fastened to said actuating member for imparting rotation thereto and a pull to said strap members to elevate said door.

6. A lift mechanism for a car door having a panel with the lower portion offset outwardly of the main plane of said panel and a metallic plate substantially in the main plane of said panel, said mechanism comprising a longitudinal metallic member adapted to be secured to said plate and said offset portion to form a box section, channel shaped members secured in said box section to said longitudinal member and said offset portion of said panel and bracing the latter, door supporting rollers positioned in the end channel shaped members, means journalled in said longitudinal member and said end channel shaped members eccentrically mounting said rollers, a rotatable actuating member journalled in said longitudinal member and the intermediate channel shaped member and connecting members for insuring simultaneous elevation of said door pivotally connected at opposite pointsy to said actuating member, and a lever on the outside of the offset portion of said panel for rotating said actuating member to exert tension upon said connecting members for elevating said door.

7. In a railway house car having a track and a sliding door adapted to be frictionally supported by said track in lowered position and supported by rollers in elevated. position, a plurality of supporting' rollers, each of said rollers comported by rollers in elevated position, a plurality of supporting rollers, each of said rollers comprising a concentric core and rim and a pin supported at its ends by said door extending eccentrically through said core, a drum carried by said core, a cable fastened to each drum, a rotatably mounted actuating member on said drum, saidcables being secured to said actuating member on opposite sides of the axis of rotation thereof and a lever fastened to said actuatingv member.

9. Lifting mechanism for sliding doors having metallic panels comprising a metallic member adapted to be secured to the panel of said door, said member having an inner vertical leg, spaced channel shaped members secured to said leg, a roller assembly eccentrically mounted in each of said channel shaped member and supported by said vertical leg and said channel shaped member, an actuating member rotatably mounted upon said leg, an operating lever secured to said actuating member and cable members secured to opposed points of said actuating member and to said roller assemblies.

In a railway house car having a track and a sliding door adapted to be frictionally supof supporting rollers, each ofrsaid`rollersLcom-1 prising a concentric core and rim and a p'in supported at its ends by said door extending eccentrically through said core, a cable fastenedl to each core, a rotatably mounted actuating member on said door, said cables being secured to said actuating member on opposite sides of the axisv of rotation thereof and a lever fastened to said actuating member.

11. YLifting mechanism for sliding doors having metallic panels' comprising a metallic member adapted to be secured to the panel of said door, said member having an inner vertical leg, spaced channel shaped members secured to said leg, a

Y roller in each of said channel shaped members,

each of said rollers comprising a concentric core and rim and a pin extending eccentrically through said core and supported by said vertical leg and said channell shaped member, a cable fastened to each core, a rotatably mounted actuating member on said door, said cables being sedured to said actuating member on opposite sides o-f the axis of rotation thereof and a lever fastened tol said actuating member.

12. In a railway house car having a track and a sliding door adapted to be frictionally supported by said track in lowered position and supported by rollers in elevated position, a plurality of supporting rollers, each of said rollers comprising a concentric core and. rim and a cylindrical pin supported at its ends by said door extending eccentrically through said core, a member secured to each core for rotation therewith, a lug carried by each of said members, a tension member pivotally mounted upon each lug, a rotatably mounted actuating member on said door, said tension members being pivotally secured to said actuating member on opposed sides of the axis of rotation thereof and a lever fastened to said actuating member.

WILFRED A. BEAUCHAlVIP. 

